MIJARC/IMCARY

International Movement of Agricultural Rural Youth or MIJARC is an international movement with member movements in four continents. The original French name of this movement is Mouvement INternational dela JEunesse AGricole et RUrale CAtholique.

Rural youth from 12 to 30 years commit themselves in these rural youth movements. They locally contribute to the sustainable rural development. At all the levels, the decisions are made democratically and the teams of management are elected in order to direct the movements. At the regional or national level, there are full timers who support the work of the volunteers.

MIJARC is an organization of young people for young people with young people. The training organized by MIJARC accompanies the local initiatives of the rural youth like income generating projects in agriculture, cooperatives or micro-enterprises. Through the reflection of the movement, the rural youth interests are represented within society and the Church. MIJARC is recognized by the Vatican, has consultative status in UNESCO, FAO, ILO, ECOSOC and collaborates with the Conference of ICOs, CIDSE/Caritas International and IPC, the International Planification Commitee.

MIJARC/IMCARY was founded in October 1954 in Annevoie, Belgium, by the catholic rural youth movements of Germany, Austria, Belgium, Spain, Netherlands, Italy and Luxemburg. During the 50’s MIJARC/IMCARY got official recognition of the Vatican, FAO, ILO and UNESCO.

The World Congress of MIJARC/IMCARY in Lourdes 1960 with the participation of 26500 rural youth was an important event especially in terms of strengthening the relationship with rural youth movements outside of Europe which soon became member of MIJARC/IMCARY.

Since then MIJARC/IMCARY has strengthened its network all over the world, is involved in advocacy and lobby activities in different UN organizations and has positively influenced the life of millions of young people worldwide.